三省吾身
三省吾身 (sān xǐng wú shēn) literally means “examine self three times” and expresses “self-reflect daily”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving wisdom and learning. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: san xing wu shen, san xing wu shen,三省吾身 meaning, 三省吾身 in english
Self-reflect daily
Pronunciation: sān xǐng wú shēn
Literal meaning: Examine self three times
Origin & Usage
Drawing from Confucius's Analects, this practice of examining (省) oneself (吾身) three (三) times daily reflects core Confucian principles of constant self-improvement. The specific number three references examining one's loyalty in serving others, trustworthiness with friends, and mastery of transmitted wisdom. During the Song Dynasty, it became a fundamental practice in Neo-Confucian self-cultivation. The concept was further developed in Ming Dynasty academies, where students maintained detailed journals of their daily self-examinations. In the Qing Dynasty, it influenced government officials' practice of maintaining self-reflection diaries. Modern usage emphasizes regular self-reflection and ethical examination, particularly in professional development and personal growth contexts, though often without the literal adherence to three daily reviews.
Examples
English: "The leader reflected daily on his decisions and their consequences"
Chinese: 这位领导每天反思自己的决定及其后果
Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about wisdom & learning
得心应手
dé xīn yìng shǒu
Work with great ease; have complete mastery
Learn more →
驾轻就熟
jià qīng jiù shú
Be very familiar with; handle with expertise
Learn more →
轻车熟路
qīng chē shú lù
Be experienced; find something easy due to familiarity
Learn more →
游刃有余
yóu rèn yǒu yú
Handle with ease; have skill to spare
Learn more →
成竹在胸
chéng zhú zài xiōng
Have a well-thought-out plan; be confident
Learn more →
恰如其分
qià rú qí fèn
Perfectly appropriate; fitting exactly
Learn more →
恰到好处
qià dào hǎo chù
Just right; perfectly appropriate
Learn more →
适可而止
shì kě ér zhǐ
Stop at the right point; practice moderation
Learn more →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 三省吾身 mean in English?
三省吾身 (sān xǐng wú shēn) literally translates to “Examine self three times” and is used to express “Self-reflect daily”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Wisdom & Learning category.
When is 三省吾身 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving self-reflect daily.
What is the pinyin for 三省吾身?
The pinyin pronunciation for 三省吾身 is “sān xǐng wú shēn”.